ATLANTA — A disastrous third quarter doomed the Mystics in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Dream. After leading for nearly the entirety of the first half, they unraveled after the break, ultimately losing 92-77.
They built their early lead by dominating the paint and winning the rebounding battle. Washington capably restrained Atlanta star Angel Reese, who struggled for much of the first half, starting her night by shooting 1-for-11. Making that all the more impressive was the fact that it came without much from All-Star forward Kiki Iriafen, who played less than five minutes in the opening half after picking up three quick fouls.
The Mystics still managed to stretch their lead to as many as 11 points. They were up by five when they hit the locker room. But that margin disappeared in the opening minutes of the second half.
Washington’s defense crumbled. Its offense failed to hold onto the ball. (The Mystics finished the night with 22 turnovers.) It meant they were outscored in the third quarter 29-12. They made a late push in the fourth — eventually whittling the margin to seven points with just under three minutes remaining. But the hole they had dug for themselves was simply too deep.
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Sonia Citron led the Mystics in scoring with 25. Shakira Austin added 12 points and 16 rebounds. Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 26 points.
The best-of-three series moves to D.C. next. A do-or-die Game 2 for the Mystics will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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